The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1887-06-16

CHILDREN OF NATURE.
sketches Taken in the Camp of tho
Digger Indians.

sketches Taken in the Camp of tho
Digger Indians.
Few people know that the Dlggers,
who live in Pleasant Valley, and are
known as the Pamblos. have musical
man among them. This Digger is
known as Bob. He is really good per-
former on the guitar. flute, fife. violin,
organ, and harmonica. He has played
for several 'paleface" dances, and
handles violin like master.
He is pure blooded Digger, and. so
far as he knows, none of his ancestors
were musically inclined.
The tribe" also boasts of having a
centenarlan. an old squaw, whose hair
is white as snow, whose daughter is Is
years old, and whose only English
ejaculation is Gimme two bits"
Capt. Pamblos is short, wiry old
fellow. He is about so years of age,
and is ono of the most inveterate hun
ters in the country. His unerring aim
has laid down many a jackass rabbit,
and humbed to the dust many proud
woodpecker. The reason is this
Whenever they had dance, or, as they
call it, "a big soup." they rig them
selves as Enthusiastically as possible.
Every buck who wishes to dance must
buy a ticket, paying for it in good solid
American silver.
AS ticket the scalp of the wood
pecker recommends itself. 1t is gaudy
and conspicuous. The tail feathers of
the yellow hammer are also used for
the same purpose, two feathers being
fastened to little stick which is worn
in the hair or carried in the hand.
These "big soups are frequent. A
A Digger will work hard for week or
two when the acorns are ripe and lay
in supply of them for winter. Then
he will notify some other tribe, and all
his relations back to the tenth genera
ton will come to see him and help him
devour the whole lot Then they invite
the family of the host to their 'cam-
pooda," and SO the visiting and "big
souplng' goes on till all the relations
have visited each other and there are
no more acorns to devour.
The Digger is child of nature, and
he cares little for the fashionable follies
of the world. Some of them are noted
for their wicked ways, and one of the
Pamblos, hard case known as Scar
Face Dick" or Dick Tomale, has been
a holy terror among his people for
many years. Several efforts have been
made to kill him and his tribe and the
Nevada CityIndians, but all have failed.
He is the most intelligent Digger Of
them all, and will discuss any subject,
not ignoring religious matters. But
his favorite topic is spiritualism. His
arguments are often full of dry, sar.
castle humor. This dry humor is q
part of the average Digger's disposi-
ton. Capt. Pamblos was once passing
house where young lady was sing.
ing vigorously. He paused and listened
Then turning to boy who was play
ing near he said, gravely: "Why fol
she ely ?' Dick Tomale once listened
gravely to several young men and
women who were discussing ghosts.
At last he interrupted them, and in his
drawing way said /: "Ya-as, believe in
ghosts, too. met ghost one night,
I wasn't exactly full, but l had some
wine. 1t was dark, and l saw big.
white ghost get up out of the ground
and stand in front of me. hauled of
and hit him with my fist. you bet.
WELL, sad a listener" what was
it %
Dick looked around mysteriously
picked up his rifle, spat at fly on his
sleeve, and as he moved off with {
light and cunning air, said in lout
whisper : ut was a rock. "-Nevade
City Herald.